Funeral – and protest – to be held Saturday for man shot dead by Des Moines police officer

DES MOINES – A protest and funeral are scheduled for Saturday in connection with the shooting death of an un-armed Des Moines man at the hands of a police officer.

Funeral services are set for Saturday, June 13 1:30 PM in Bethany, Missouri, for 28-year-old Ryan Keith Bolinger of Des Moines.  He died, Tuesday June 9, 2015 at Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa after he was shot by a police officer.  According to his obituary, he had lived in Des Moines the last two years, worked maintenance at the Iowa State Fair grounds and was an engaged father of three (an un-born son).

That same day, just a few hours later, at 4:00 PM, a gathering of citizens will take place at the downtown Des Moines Police Headquarters to protest the actions of the police officer who shot him.  According to organizers of the event, “on Tuesday June 9 Des Moines Police killed a man for ‘walking purposefully’. So far the world is ignoring his death and the lack of accountability. That cannot be.”

On the evening of June 9, officer Vanessa Miller, who has been with the DMPD for 7 years, shot Bolinger as he approached her car.  Minutes earlier, Bolinger (a Caucasian male) allegedly pulled up to an other officer’s police car as he conducted a traffic stop and was said to have “blocked” the door and “danced around” before leaving. Miller and another officer followed him as he pulled away, and when Bollinger stopped and got out of his car, he allegedly “walk(ed) purposefully” toward Miller’s car, prompting her to fire her gun through a closed window, striking him once.

Reportedly, both officers are now on administrative leave and the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation is involved.  A Grand Jury will likely convene to decide whether any charges against the officer would be brought.